Everton boss Roberto Martinez has hailed Ross Barkley as the "diamond of English football" after the youngster propelled the club into the top four of the Premier League.
The 20-year-old hit an 84th-minute free kick to secure a narrow 2-1 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium this evening, strengthening the club's Champions League credentials in the process.
"Ross is growing game-by-game. He is showing different aspects, he is a quite incredible diamond of English football," he told BBC Sport.
Martinez also reserved praise for Seamus Coleman, whose long-range strike opened the scoring for the Toffees, by describing the Republic of Ireland international as the "complete footballer".
The Spaniard added: "I always felt Seamus Coleman is a very complete footballer. People sometimes try and find weaknesses, but he is very competent defender and his real strength is going forward.
"He also has the arrogance to try a strike from that distance. He gives a lot in the final third."
Martinez's side welcome lowly Sunderland to Goodison Park on Boxing Day, before hosting Southampton on Merseyside three days later.
Shane Callaghan
